I PLAY ROCKY – AGAINST THE ODDS
Austin Film Festival and Round Top Film Festival 2026
Long before Sylvester Stallone became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, he was a struggling actor with a screenplay, very little money, and a determination that bordered on foolishness. He wanted to make a movie about a boxer named Rocky Balboa, and he wasn’t about to let anyone else play him. Peter Farrelly’s I Play Rocky tells the story of how that unlikely dream became one of the most successful films of the 1970s. It’s a fascinating story, made even better by a terrific cast and a young actor who could easily be mistaken for Stallone himself.
Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone, who is barely scraping by when he writes a screenplay inspired by an underdog boxer. The script gets the attention of Hollywood producers, but there’s a problem. They want an established star in the lead role, and Stallone simply won’t hear of it. Offers of money, something he desperately needs, aren’t enough to change his mind. He believes in his story and believes he is the man to tell it. His refusal to compromise becomes both his biggest obstacle and, ultimately, the reason Rocky turns out the way it does.
Ippolito is remarkable. He has Stallone’s voice, walk, facial expressions, and mannerisms down so well that it’s almost uncanny. What makes the performance work, however, is that he doesn’t rely entirely on the physical resemblance. His Stallone is ambitious, stubborn, sometimes difficult, and vulnerable. There are moments when his confidence seems completely misplaced, but it’s difficult not to admire his determination. Interestingly, Ippolito apparently submitted an audition tape on his own, with little expectation of getting the part. That he landed the role seems especially appropriate considering the character he portrays.
The cast is excellent across the board. AnnaSophia Robb plays Sasha, Stallone’s wife, who has to live with the consequences of his decisions. Matt Dillon, Tracy Letts, Toby Kebbell, P.J. Byrne, and Jay Duplass round out an impressive group of actors. Duplass takes on the role of director John G. Avildsen, whose involvement becomes an important part of getting the movie made. There are some wonderful exchanges between these characters, and the performances feel natural rather than like actors playing famous people.
Screenwriter Peter Gamble has plenty to work with, and what he chooses to include is one of the film’s strengths. The negotiations over Stallone’s screenplay are interesting, but so are the personal sacrifices, the clashes of personalities, and the difficulties that arise once production finally begins. The story moves along at a comfortable pace without glossing over important details or becoming bogged down in them. Farrelly knows when to let a scene play out and when to move on. Together, they manage to make a familiar outcome feel surprisingly uncertain.
Then there’s the 1970s setting. The cars, clothing, apartments, offices, and streets look and feel right. Nothing seems too new or too carefully placed. Having lived through that period, I especially appreciated the authenticity. It genuinely feels like stepping back into the time and place where all of this happened. That sense of realism extends to the scenes involving the production of Rocky, where limited money and resources force the filmmakers to get creative. Seeing how some of those now-famous moments came together is particularly enjoyable.
Stallone’s unwillingness to sell his screenplay without starring in the film is still difficult to imagine. He had very little leverage, wasn’t a recognizable name, and could certainly have used the money. Yet he continued to turn down offers that might have changed his circumstances overnight. Had he made a different decision, Rocky might have been an entirely different movie. It certainly wouldn’t have been the one audiences came to know and love.
I Play Rocky captures the circumstances surrounding a film that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and launch Stallone’s career. Farrelly’s direction, Gamble’s storytelling, and a strong ensemble make it an especially enjoyable experience. Ippolito is exceptional, and the recreation of the period adds a great deal to the film. The real pleasure comes from watching a story that seems so improbable, even knowing exactly how it turns out. A wonderful trip back in time and a movie I thoroughly enjoyed.